United Nations Decade of

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United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development 2005-2014
Part I The Big Picture OR Whats this all
about?
Education at all levels can shape the world of
tomorrow UNESCO
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Background/ History
1987 The Brundtland Commission
Sustainable Development Development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs.
1992 The Rio Earth Summit
Agenda 21 - Action Plan/ Blueprint for
Sustainable Development (40 chapters, 300
pages) Chapter 36 Promoting Education, Public
Awareness and Training
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(No Transcript)
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2002 The World Summit on Sustainable Development
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UNESCO appointed lead UN agency
Approved by UN Gen. Assy. 2002
Our biggest challenge in this new century is to
take an idea that seems abstract -- sustainable
development -- and turn it into a reality for all
the world's people. Kofi Annan, UNSG, 2001
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1. Promotion and improvement of basic education
Action Areas
4. Training the workforce with knowledge and
skills to perform their work in a sustainable
manner.
3. Developing public understanding and awareness
of sustainability
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Sustainable Production Consumption
Fresh Water Management
Biodiversity
Conservation Protection
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Health Promotion
Human Rights
Imp. of Info . Comm. Technology for ESD
Peace Intl Understanding
Gender Equality
Poverty Alleviation
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US Partnership for the DESD
Japan Council on the DESD
German National Committee for the DESD
Others forming Portugal, Greece, Sweden, the
Philippines, India, etc.
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EXAMPLES OF ACTIVITY Living Institutions SOL
Sustainability Consortium NAIS Faith Communities
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all sectors higher education, K-12, business,
faith communities, non-profits, government
a community-builder, convener, catalyst and
communicator for the Decade in the United States
www.uspartnership.org
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Sustainability and Higher Education Conference -
Defining the Vision (October 04)
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Discussion
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United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development 2005-2014
Part II Connecting the Dots between the Baháí
community..the DESD
Education is the indispensable foundation of all
human excellence Abdu'l-Baha
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The Sustainability Stool
Education for Sustainable Development

• Developing Systems Thinkers

Economic Principles
Social Principles
Environmental Principles

• Spiritual Principles

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Examples of Spiritual Principles related to
sustainability
Economic
Environmental
Social
Elimination of extremes of wealth and
poverty Work as worship Moderation Be content
w/little Voluntary giving Profit sharing
Interdependence of all life Nature a reflection
of the Divine Humility Earth source of all our
wealth Unity in diversity Cleanliness
Kindness to animals
Equality of women and men Elimination of all
forms of prejudice Unity in diversity Universal
compulsory education Trustworthiness
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Soloist vs. Whole Systems Thinker
Can identify one part of a system OR sees no
connection between the parts of the system OR
lives life through a zoom lens without benefit
of a wide angle lens
Makes choices and decisions and takes
actions that maximize the health of the whole
system upon which the specific parts depend.
Able to work well in diverse groups which enable
them to recognize interdependencies in systems
Adapted from material from the Sustainability
Education Center, New York www.sustainabilityed.or
g
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Some areas for combining principles of
sustainable development and systems thinking

• Business
• Production methods
• Energy and water use
• Waste disposal
• Employee benefits
• Stockholder relations

• Personal
• Consumption patterns
• Water Energy use
• Clothing purchases
• Recreation/hobbies
• Yard care, landscaping
• Household Cleaning products
• Home purchase
• Vacation planning
• Family planning
• Transportation choices

• Community
• Building a Baháí center
• Organizing a Baháí Feast
• Running a Baháí summer school
• Conference planning
• Devotional program

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Case Studies
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Simple Systems Map (Example)
Save in the long run
Use less gas
Less carbon emission
Walk/Bike rather than drive
Reduce air pollution
Slow global warming
Get exercise
Physically healthier
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United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development 2005-2014
Part III Bringing it Home Implementing ESD in
the Baháí community
Let deeds, not words, be our adorning!
Abdu'l-Baha
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U.S. Partnership Executive Team
Conferences/Seminars Orlando 03, 04 ABS 04
Baháí National Center working group (October 04)
Articles and features in publications (Brilliant
Star The American Baháí World Order Magazine)
Wilmette Institute online course (Oct. 05) and
other web resources
Courses at Baháí schools
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• Break into Groups
• Individual
• Family Parenting
• Local Baháí community
• Community at large
• National community

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• Consult on what actions can be taken at that
  level to advance education for sustainable
  development
• Create a list/ diagram/ drawing/ skit/ song
  and/or dance to communicate to the group the
  results of your ideas
• Finish with interpretive gallery of ideas and
  creations

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THANK YOU!